He currently plays for Spain’s legendary Real Madrid. As captain of Portugal’s squad he is hoping to lead them to the UEFA Euro title this summer.

Ronaldo possesses exceptional soccer skill and powerful grace, like some hybrid creature from a Greek myth.

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He is an excellent counterpart to Nadal in this commercial, expressing a broad smile and good-natured appeal.

The All-Natural Arena: Grass

Every epic has a rich setting, and this commercial provides the ideal field of dreams. Tennis’s tradition was grown on grass and prestigious country clubs, so Nike got it right in creating a more pastoral setting. Nadal helps complete the image in his white Wimbledon attire.

The setting could not work on hard courts or clay. Ronaldo’s spikes would skate on the former and cloud up the latter. Sometimes image IS everything.

Spain vs. Portugal: Iberian rivalry

Tennis and soccer are global sports, but this match-up represents a fierce regional rivalry. Spain, the reigning Euro and World Cup champion, has had great soccer games with Portugal.

This match-up could represent a cultural clash for bragging rights on the Iberian Peninsula. However, Nadal and Ronaldo quickly establish a friendly tone, which plays out to the end of the commercial. No rancor here.

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Mano-a-Mano

Sports, scripted to its most basic element is a one-on-one duel. (Curiously, this commercial is technically a hand vs. foot conflict.) Even the ultimate team sport, soccer, will feature isolated match-ups at particular moments and spaces.

Rafa vs. Ronaldo is a clever duel showcasing several clips of stunts and editing to provide 21st century theatrics. There is plenty of footwork and diving to display their athleticism.

Ronaldo’s dazzling footwork skill and dexterity would shame even the master hacky sack performer. Rafa’s unsuccessful dive is the highlight, but his expressive bemusement is his greatest contribution.

There is no epic conquest, but Ronaldo is given more of a platform to win the judges in an Olympic-like judging: Ronaldo 9.5, Rafa 8.8.

Roger vs. Rafa

There’s nothing more fitting than a showdown between Federer and Nadal for the best tennis commercial. The Federer Nike commercial in the box to the right will be the comparison. (There are obviously several other tennis commercials we could use, but this Federer commercial is featured as the best in the article link below.)

Creativity: Nadal’s commercial certainly has more imagination in its shot-making, but Federer’s commercial has a more original plot for a TV commercial, though common enough in stories.

Appeal: Nadal’s commercial will certainly pull in the soccer crowd, and perhaps this would make it a more popular commercial. Federer’s commercial may appeal more to the average viewer, or to non-sports people. Really, it’s a matter of personal preference.